pleading noueltie impossibilitie c. Gal. 1.16 4 That we trie the Lord who is wonderfull in blessing the vnfained endeauours of his children Hag. 2. Malach. 3.10 5 Then let vs make trial at first in one of these and grow readie therein so shall wee with more willingnesse and skilfulnesse proceed in the rest Iames 2.10 Iames 3.2 6 Let vs not faile to meete the Lord with vnfained thankefulnes when we see him comming effectually in the weake performance thereof Psal. 81. 7 And so condemne and prouoke thy selfe as before and thou shalt see by Gods mercy a good encrease Yea thou shalt not only be able to performe these dueties with comfort but also thou shalt be able to entertaine each seueral occasions of the day to Gods glory thy exceeding profite and benefit of others Motiues and Helpes hereunto thou shalt find 1 A dayly discerning of thine owne inabilitie And 2 So renouncing of thy selfe to be found in Iesus Christ. 3 When thou hast found thy selfe in Christ yet still to deny thy best righteousnesse that thou maist wholly liue by and in the life of thy Sauiour in whom thy person shal be accepted aboue all worth of thy seruice 4 And meditate often not so much on the ioy the Saints haue in heauen as in the matter there of their constant and free glorifying of God 2 Cheering vp thy heart that thou hast so far communion with them in that heauenly worship as that now thou performest that in truth which they doe in perfection and so hast thy conuersation also in heauen yea thou art hastening to that perfection by dayly denying of thy selfe and growing in Christ thy head and hast both their examples to encourage and prayers to further thee thereto yea seeing without thee they shall not be perfected Therefore thou shalt also aspire to perfection that so the body of thy Sauiour may be fully compleate 1. Cor. 1.24 Neb. 11 40· 6 And seeing all lets shall by Gods mercie proue furtherances hereunto thy very sins shall prouoke thee much lesse then affliction shall hinder therefore learn to liue by faith in the discerning of thy estate and wrastling with these oppositions that so not yeelding to tentation or not lying vnder the burthen thereof thou maist still goe forward more humbly with thy God and bee more then conquerour through Christ that hath loued thee Rom. 8. 7 Adde hereunto a dayly meditation of the time vnprofitably spent heretofore and hence wee shal be prouoked to redeeme it in this constant manner for the time to come Romanes 6.22 1. Pet. 4.4.5 8 Especially if we weigh withal the wonderfull mercy of our God that hath not yet called vs to an account for our former abuse and vnprofitablenesse surely if wee make a right vse hereof wee cannot choose but resolue to answer this loue of God in our more earnest and constant endeauors for the time to come Rom. 2.4 9 And if we shal now withal wisely lay to heart what litle assurance we haue of any time to come how that there is not any howre nay moment wherin we shall promise security to our selues and put the euill day farre from vs that wee may approach to the seat of iniquitie whereas we may say to our soule Now soule cast care away be bold a litle with God remit off thy sinceritie c. But that euen in that moment it may bee said vnto thee Thou foole thy soule shall bee taken from thee surely this would moue vs rather to this dayly and continuall seruing of God to adde somewhat vpon euery occasion to the making sure of our election Luke 12.21 11 Especially if we consider that our aduersary the diuell goeth about continually to entrap deuoure vs 12. and our owne wicked and trecherous hearts are neuer a sleepe to sinne to entertain Satan ought wee not continually to stand vpon our guard that so we may resist the diuel preserue our soules frō bondage 1. Pet. 5.8 13 Surely if we did but consider that while wee do not serue our blessed God in this holy constāt maner we in that meane time are seruants vnto sin so both break the peace of our consciences interrupt hinder our sweet felowship with our God grieue his blessed Spirit so expose our selues not onely to many secret wounds of conscience but also to many outward blowes and reproachfull buffetings not onely tending to bring some heauie affliction vpon our selues but especially to lay reproach vppon our profession to cause the name of our glorious God to bee blasphemed This if either wee loue our selues or haue any zeale to the glory of our God must certainly constrain vs to the conscionable performance of this duty euen daily to endeauour somewhat to maintain our peace with God 14 And had we no other respect but this how wee might lay our selues downe in peace how wee should sleep sweetly how to lay al our cares vnder our pillow preuent filthy fearfull dreams how to auoide feares of worldly casualties as fire theeues c. Surely we would settle our hearts by this course in the day that they might not be vnsetled in the night 15 Nay must we not be guilty of despising the blood of the couenant and esteeming of the Son of God as a prophane thing If seeing the Lord Iesus makes continuall intercession for vs at the throne of grace that wee might dayly offer vp our soules and bodies as a liuing sacrifice in obedience vnto our God wee shall notwithstanding neglect this holy dutie either not serue our God at all or serue him at our pleasure 16 Will not this proue euen plaine wil-worship and so abominable to God! 17 And shal we not be condemned of horrible in gratitude that when our God bestowes such blessings on vs and renues his mercies euery morning vnto vs especially reuiues our liues to make vs capable thereof wee shall yet despise this bountie of our God and riote out his blessings to the dishonour of the giuer 18 See that thou praise God for these that walke thus constantly not enuying their strictnesse but imitating the same delighting in their company c. So the Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things And this shall be thy triall that thou hast profited by this direction 1 If thy conceit and iudgement concerning the excellencie and benefit of a christian life be more confirmed and comfortable 2 If thou findest more ease and delight in the practise thereof 3 And yet by this practise attainest to a greater sense of thy corruption shortnes of perfection 4 And canst go with more boldnesse and assurance vnto thy God to begge mercie and strength against thy corruptions 5 If thou canst now more deny thine owne righteousnes that so still thou maist bee found in Christ Iesus feeling in him more comfortably the acceptance of thy person 6 And dayly drawing new vertue from him to walke more constantly with thy God
THE CHRISTIANS Daily Sacrifice CONTAINING A daily direction for a setled course of Sanctification The third edition corrected and enlarged with a thousand spirituall rules tending to Perfection Diuided into threâ— Bookes by TH. COOPER LONDON Imprinted by N. O. for WALTER BVRRE and are to bee sold in Paules Church yard at the signe of the Crane 1615. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND TRVELY NOBLE LAdies my very bountifull Patronesses the Lady LVCIE Countesse of Bedford the Lady HARINGTON Barones of Exon grace and peace from God the Father through our Lord Iesus Christ bee multipleed RIght worthie Ladies As there is nothing that better becommeth the righteous then to bee thankefull vnto the Lord for his great mercies bestowed vpon vs. So I am perswaded in nothing more hath our gratious God aduanced his wonderfull goodnesse vnto our sinfull nation Then in that great deliuerance of our Prince and people from that hellish plot of the Gunpowder Treason For as the Redemption of mankind by the pretious blood of Iesus Christ hath therefore the priuiledge to be of all other benefits the most excellent farre exceeding our Creation or any other blessing of God because thereby mankind was restored to a more excellent estate then it lost in Adam so how soeuer the Lord in mercie vouchsafed vnto this Nation as it were a new creation by the Ministerie of good Queene Elizabeth of happy memory who restoring vnto vs the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ we were thereby euen pluckt out of the fiery fornace of Antichrist and new borne again to the hope of eternall glory yet because we haue not receiued the loue of the truth and did not gloryfie our blessed God in our obedience therunto therfore did we iustly forfaâ—â—â—te our right in that great blessing and so deserued vtterly to bee depriued thereof And was not this our general fere in those dayes when the Light of our eys grew dimme and the sunne of our happines was set in these parts that together therewith the light of the Gospel also should haue bene taken from vs surely if the Lord had not them beene on our side when the arme of the flesh failed vs. If hee had not reserued an â—â—â—â—â—â—ly seed to stand in the gappe wee must needs haue bene as Sodome and Gomorrha But blessed be the name of our God for euer that in his eternall mercie had reserued a Ioseph for vs euen a royall Branch of that holy seede to renue and maintaine our glorious light And haue wee walked worthie of so great saluation surely if there were nothing else to condemn our vnthankefulnesse for so great a blessing Euen that accursed Powder Plot in steed of all other arguments is sufficient hereunto For as the vnthankefulnesse of the Papists was here noâ—â—â—oâ—â—â—iously discouered that hereby intended the subuersion of the state which had so gratiously vouchsafed lâ—â—â—fe and peace vnto theÌ„ So did this also conuince the vnprofitablenesse of the Protestant who for the abuse of his Talent was hereby summoned to his account and in his owne desert must needes haue beene ouertaken with this iudgment And therefore was it not the free mercie of the Lord that wee were not vtterly consumed Were wee not plucked euen as a brand out of the fire were wee not wonderfully redeemed euen by the mightie power of God from that horrible pit Did not the Lord thereby raise vp a mightie saluation for vs euen by his owne immediate arme that he alone may haue the glory And shal we not theÌ„ take vp the cup of saluation giue thanks vnto the name of the Lord. Surely as there remaines no more sacrifice for sin for such that do treade vnder foote the blood of the Son of God So I am perswaded that if we shall despise so great saluation and forget this wonderfull worke which our God hath done for vs we shall in vaine hope of the like deliuerance The Lord will do no more such great workes among vs because of our vnthankefull and vnbeleeuing hearts And therefore seeing the gratious Lord as he sanctified that deliuerance vnto me his vnworthie seruant by a speciall deliuerance from the malice of vnreasonable men which in the verie instant of our reioycing had layde a snare to entrappe my soule so hee hath hitherto giuen me my life for a pray from many other extremities Can I do better then I haue begun so still to imploy it in the meditation of Gods great mercies Ought I not do my vttermost to awaken this secure age and prouoke the Saints to an holy entertainement of so great saluation Can I do lesse then take occasion hereby to testifie my thankefulnesse vnto those that haue bin instruments for the maintenance of my life and studies Surely deare ChristiaÌ„ Ladies as I must acknowledge my selfe hereby bound for euer vnto your Honours so accept I beseech you this vnfained pledge thereof and bee prouoked herby to a wise redeeming of the time that so you may be prepared to a blessed eternitie Take these holy rules herein contained as a true guide to leade you safely in all occasions thereunto and make account of my best deuotions and endeuour here after to further to the same And so I commend your Ladiships to the grace of God in Iesus Christ. Resting in him To your Honours euer deuoted TH. COOPER The Preface to the Christian Reader describing the occasion and seuerall vses of this Treatise THE many excellent treatises and larger discourses concerning the power of godlinesse which it hath pleased the Lord of glory to furnish his Church withal in these later daies as they haue made good the faithfulnes of our God vno vs of our Church of England therein auouched against all schismaticall spirits that yet there is an holy seed among vs so if they shall not bee a witnesse against vs doe they necessarily require in the right vse thereof that we be transformed into the same image from glory to glory And therfore howsoeuer it may seeme both needlesse and preiudiciall after so many graue and experimentall rules concerning sanctification to adde any more in this kinde yet seeing it hath pleased God to direct mee to a further labour herein weigh with me I pray thee in equitie these reasons hereof First I doe hereby professe my thankefulnesse vnto God for those excellent labors of his Saints that now rest from their labours and their fruits follow them Secondly I would haue thee know that I am not ashamed of this foolishnesse of preaching and practicke Diuinitie which is such a mystery to the world and stumbling blocke vnto the wisedome thereof Thirdly howsoeuer I do professe that I am not able to attaine such perfection as I haue here in conceiued yet I would haue thee know further that I would rather haue a rule to condemne sinne in the flesh and so to confound the old man that thereby the new man may follow hard after the marke then not to giue testimonie to that light
of His Essence not to bee circumscribed in space or place or any limits And that 1 Because His Power is Infinite 2 Hee is euery where and so must His Substance bee Ierem. 23.24 3 In the Essence of His Diuintty because there is one and the same whole substance of the three Persons Ioh. 16.32 3.13 14.10 3 In the Communication of His Essence seeing the Whole is in such sort common to the three Persons of the Diuinity as not onely it is in them as in the creatures But also is Their very Substance and yet remaineth still One and the very same And this condition is proper onely to the Deity and not to the creature 1 Because it is impossible that any creature should bee or bee made equall to the Creator 2 GOD Himselfe by this marke distinguisheth Himselfe from the creatures Ierem. 23.14 3 CHRIST proueth His Diuinity by this argument Ioh. 3.13 that Hee is in heauen when His Body is on the earth 4 The ancient Fathers haue by this Argument defended the Diuinity of the Holy GHOST because It Substance is not limited as of the creatures whom though the Angels cannot be circumscribed by place yet are they limited by the property of their substance But the Holy GHOST being in many hath not a limited and finite Substance And this 1 Condemneth those that would haue the Holy GHOST to be a creature 2 Instructs in the difference between the Spirituall Nature of the Angels and the DEITY 3 Confirmeth our Faith in the Prouidence of GOD that Hee is with vs in euery place 4 Informeth our obedience to doe all things as in His presence because Hee is incomprehensible 5 To moderate our pride of knowledge in searching into that which is incomprehensible 6 To comfort our want of comprehension and weakenesse of faith seeing though the DEITY bee incomprehensible yet wee doe and shall comprehend nay wee are comprehended and so it shall suffice so farre to know and beleeue as the Word reuealeth 7 Adoring with reuerence what wee cannot conceiue Seuenthly this GOD is most perfect in Himselfe 1 Because hee onely hath all things which may be desired vnto perfect felicity 2 And that in Himselfe and of Himselfe 3 And that with sufficiency also to replenish all other things And therefore 1 Though Hee made all things yet this was not to aide Himselfe by them but to communicate Himselfe to them Prou. 16.2 2 Neither doth Hee vse the creature in the accomplishment of this worke as needing but honoring the creature therein 3 And though we worship and giue Him glory yet this is our debt and His due the issue and benefite being ours alone nothing hereby being added to His happinesse 4 Though Hee reioyce in our obedience yet it is not as cause but as an obiect of His reioycing 5 And we are bound in Iustice to performe the same 6 And therefore are much more bound to GOD to accept our imperfect obedience which otherwise doth dishonour Him 5 And comforted that seeing it is for our good therfore He wil perfect it for His Glory Eightly this GOD is Vnchangeable And that 1. In His Essence which can neither bee augmented nor diminished 2 In His Will which cannot bee altered 3 In place because Hee is Immense and filleth all things And the reason hereof is 1 Because there is neither outward seeing Hee is the first mouer or inward cause of His changing in that Hee is not diuisible 2 Hee cannot bee changed neither to the worse for then He were not perfect nor better which is impossible nor into a like estate with the former for this is needlesse 3 Hee can neither bee made greater because Hee is infinite nor lesse because incomprehensible 4 Neither can Hee moue from place to place as a creature seeing by His immensity Hee filleth all places 5 Hee is most Wise and hath most perfectly from euerlasting decreed and fore-seene all things and therefore they cannot or neede not bee changed And therefore though Hee be said to repent yet this doth not imply a change of His Will but because Hee entendeth the amending of the creature by repentance and so the LORD assumeth our affectiōs to teach vs the holy practise of them that hereby wee may bee conformable to GODS reuealed Will and thereby bee pertakers of His secret Will And therefore though the Promises and Threatning of the LORD are not performed yet seeing these imply a condition either expressed Ier. 18.28 which though it bee vncertaine and changeable in respect of mans will yet are they certaine in the Counsell of GOD or necessarily vnderstood therefore doe they serue to the accomplishment of His secret Will Namely to bestow happinesse vpon the performance of the condition of Faith and Obedience or otherwise And though the LORD hath changed many Precepts and Ordinances and Workes as Moses so we may attaine to the end Comforting our selues that we are kept by the mighty power of God to saluation 1. Pet. 15. And therefore shall vndoubtedly attaine because this power is made perfect in our weaknesse 2. Cor. 12.8 Tenthly this God is of euerlasting wisdome 1 Both in that hee knoweth all things perfectly in one act and view for euer with all circumstances 2 And is the fountaine of all knowledge and vnderstanding to all his creatures Eccles. 3.1 Isa. 44.7 Iob. 5. Psa. 147. Rom. 11.33 And therefore 1 Howsoeuer Phylosophy had some glimpse of this knowledge yet was it darkned and maimed and so must bee renued by the word And without this heauenly light howsoeuer thy might apprehend generall prouidence yet could they neuer conceiue that especiall wisdome whereby the Lord saueth his Church Mat. 11.25 2 Blesse wee God for Iesus Christ the wisedome of his Father that hath reuealed these hidden things vnto vs Math. 11. Esay 9. 3 And labour we to resemble our heauenly Father in this spirituall gift 1 By diiscerning betweene things that differ Phil. 1.10 2 Redeeming of time Ephes. 5.16 3 Seeing the plague and hiding our selues Pro. 22.2 4 Abounding in all good workes And 5 Therein watching and waiting for the appearance of our maister Math. 24. And 6 Hastning his comming by conuerting our brethren Dan. 12. And 7 Hastning our selues therto by casting away euery thing that presseth downe and the sin that hangeth so fast vpon vs. Heb. 12.1 Twelfthly this God is righteous and perfectly iust And that 1 Both in regard of his Generall Iustice and Righteousnesse whereby he willeth and worketh vnchangeably such things as hee hath commanded in his law 2 In respect of Particular Iustice whereby he immutably disposeth aright rewards and punishments 3 He is the Rule and Squire of righteousnesse in his creatures And therefore 1 Though he doth good to the euill and heapeth euils on the good yet this is in great Iustice for the making of the wicked inexcusable and purging out his childrens corruption as also to try their faith and confirme it
the Vnitie and Trinitie he deserueth to bee worshipped in many respects As First As he is Iehoua our Lord so he requireth worship of vs as his seruants Malach. 1.7 So we are his creatures and owe him all homage SecoÌ„dly as he is God our Father so are we his children and therefore owe him all spirituall loue and holy reuerence 3 As he is Redeemer so he hath both deserued our worship enableth vs hereunto and therfore wee cannot but worship him the Restorer of our life and Recouerer of our happinesse 4 As he is God the holy Ghost sanctifying and preseruing of vs so are we bound to worship him in Spirit and Truth So can we not but glorifie him in our bodies spirits because they are his wee we must needes being led by the Spirit abound in well-doing to the praise of our glorious God And therefore 1 This condemneth all Athiests and prophane beasts that make no conscience of this worship of the Lord seeing the Gentiles the Diuels shall one day condemne them 2 As also this reproueth all Ignorant and idle persons that worship they know not what nor how seeing none can worshippe whom they know not they cannot worship him aright whoÌ„ they cannot discerne by the Vnitie in Trinitie and Trinitie in Vnitie 3 And so it vtterly condemnes all Popish worships which is ignorance and voluntary deuotions not onely not from any sound knowledge but euen in defiance and detraction of it as if it were the greatest enemy to deuotion 2 This instructeth that wee â—â—â—hould labour after this knowledge of God as he is reuealed in the word not contenting our selues with generall notions and Traditions concerning the diuine nature 3. And so commendeth and enioyneth that most excellent and necessary dutie of Catechizing wherby we attaine to this particular knowledge 4 And withall condemneth the neglect and contempt of this dutie especially in the elder sort laying it onely on Children which can yet make little vse thereof and accounting it their shame to bee taught the grounds of religion so dwelling and dying in palpable and obstinate ignorance 5 And comforteth vs that wee haue both a certaine rule to worship by to preuent distraction so worthie a God to worship as that we need not bee a shamed nor repent of his seruice Thus it appeareth That God is to be worshipped Let vs now further consider Of whom hee is principally to be worshipped CHAP. VII Of whom God is to worshipped Howsoeuer the Lord created all things for himselfe so that euery inferiour Creature in it place and nature yeeldeth homage vnto the Creator in doing his will and by the same attaineth his preseruation and perfection yet neither is this seruice competent to the nature of God as being carnall and vnreasonable neither can it bee accepted of him as being without Christ without faith in his blood Onely man is that Creature who as he was 1. Created of God fit to performe this acceptable worship so was he 2. restored by Christ to renue and continue the same and so is 3. kept by the mightie power of God to saluation that so hee may attaine the benefite of his true and constant seruice And therefore Howsoeuer the Angels behold alwaies the face of God and do perform acceptable seruice vnto him in Iesus Christ by whom thogh they are not redeemed froÌ„ sin into which they neuer fell yet are they preserued through Christ in their happy estate and by him are gathered together and vnited to their head yet seeing these haue already attained their perfection therefore as they are aboue the compasse of our direction so are wee rather to admire and propose them as pictures for imitation then any way to admit them in comparison herein Onely man is that Creature who being redeemed by Christ Iesus from the guilt power and punishmeÌ„t of sinne hath yet the tainture and corruption of sin remaining in him 1 That the vertue of his sauiour might dayly appeare in the healing thereof 2 And the free mercy of his God might be aduanced in the pardon thereof 3 That the might be dayly exercised in the worke of repentance and so haue truely experience of the true worke of grace 4 That hee might maintain the fellowship in hauing more compassion of others out of the sence of his owne infirmities so make sure encrease his consolation in plucking others out of the fire 5 That his corruptions may be a means to quicken and prouoke to the performance of faith patience humility many excelleÌ„t graces which heerby are maruellously exercised and increased 6 That hee might haue experience of the admirable wisedom of God in turning about al to his good bringing light out of darknesse Rom. 8.29 2. Cor. 4.6 7 That the power of God may be manifested and perfited in his infirmities as preseruing so wonderfully contraries by contraries 8 And vsing some corruptions to preuent or purge out others 2. Cor. 12.7.8 9 That the Lord might haue the onely glory of all his meanes in the experience of our owne inability and disproportion ence whereby our growing in grace and following hard after the marke and thereby hunger more earnestly after perfection 11 And seeing in this life wee cannot be perfect therefore wee might by the dayly sence of corruption be weaned from the loue hereof and so 12 Prouoked to hunger after our dissolution 13 To looke vp still to that Citie which is aboue 14 And to prepare therto 15 And in all these performe a constant and spirituall worship vnto our God 16 Vsing the holy means of the word and to discouer conquer such corruptions And so 17 Approue our hearty obedience to our God who hates iniquitie that we serue him of loue because wee would not displease him subduing and weakning sin that wee might in all things bee conformable to him then either for feare of any punishment due to or any benefite may redound vnto vs for the same aboue this that wee endeauour to obey our God in all things 18 And so might haue herein experience not onely of the admirable bountie and wisedome of our God in accepting our willing mind euen aboue our outward abilitie 2. Cor. 8.12 but also might haue triall of the sinceritie of our obedience as being rather inward and spirituall in our purpose and striuing against sin then any glorious outward shew of perfection which we can attaine vnto Thus hath the Lord disposed of the manner of our sanctificatioÌ„ and to this ende haue I framed this daily direction that wee may the better be led forward in the worke of grace And seeing to this end the Lord created man euen for his glory Therefore now in the next place let vs consider of This Creation CHAP. VIII Of the Creation of Man AS the Lord created al things for his glory so especially to this end created hee man as to manifest in him 1. His free Election and absolute power and
the most vnlikely contemptible meanes for our good seeing the Lord made vs of such 3 Neither to seeke after great matters in the world seeing our originall was so meane 4 Neither to set vp our hearts in this life but rather to prepare to death seeing to the earth we must 5 Comforting our selues that our misery in this life is not eternall seeing we are of the earth 6 And seeing this corruption must put on incorruption therefore learne we to follow hard after the marke if by any meanes we may attaine to the resurrection of the dead looking by faith a farre off for the changing of these vile bodies And comforting our selues in our better part that the soule is immortall and therefore labouring to haue our conuersation in heauen and to be made meete for that glorious inheritance Thirdly that man was made a liuing soule immediatly breathed from the Lord eternally to liue with him This teacheth 1 That the soule is immediatly subiect vnto God ought onely to bee bound by him principally must depend on his blessed will 2 That it must be exercised in heauenly things agreeable to the nature and end thereof 3 That it is subiect to eternall punishment for sinne and therefore ought to saue it selfe from that fearefull vengeance Matth. 3. 4 That eternall hapinesse is due thereto for wel-doing and therefore should not faint nor be weary thereof 5 That as the creation is immediate from God though the body be from man so also is the Recreation and Renuing of the soule immediatly from his meere mercy in Christ without any help or concurrence from man 6 And therefore we are not to rest in any naturall faculties of the soule as if they were sufficient to saluation or could further thereto but rather discerne wee wisely That the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God 7 And so let vs deny our selues that we may be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse Phil. 3.8.9 Yet so 8 As that seeing we haue free-will in naturall and morall actions concerning the outward act though not for the truth or manner or end of well-doing therefore do we what is ours in entertaining the meanes of saluation As come wee to the word and though we cannot discerne it naturally neither propose the right end therein least if wee forsake God in not doing so farre as wee may he may iustly forsake vs in denying a blessing to the means that so our condemnation may be iust and inexcusable 9 That the soule was breathed into the nostrels not into the eares or mouth or eyes this argueth the imbecillity and frailty of our life as if it depended on our nostrels Esay 2 22. Thus of the matter Fourthly consider we the manner of our creation and therein the Excellencie and ends thereof For the manner we were created in Gods Image not that either wee were made of the Essence of God or that God must bee like to vs hauing humane shape although if we respect the second person in Trinity it might wel be that as he was to take flesh in the fulnesse of time so euen at the present when man was made hee assumed extraordinarily an human forme and so also after that forme and Archetype made man But we were created after the Image of God in holinesse and righteousnesse that is The soule being breathed into the body from the Lord was indued with diuine and heauenly qualities As 1 Immortality 2 Excellent light of reason and vnderstanding acknowledging God and his will discerning the nature and essence of things 3 True righteousnesse of the minde and heart and all the faculties thereof in which was inflamed true loue and feare and confidence in God 4 Most absolute consent of the will obeying the iudgement of right and reason from compulsion bondage and misery 5 Excellent strength and vigor of body free from all infirmitie diseases troubles death And 6 Admirable glory and maiesty 7 Destinated to eternall life in heauen 8 Which should haue propagated an immortall kinde according to the Image of God 9 Yet all this mutably 1 That so if Man had ouercome the Tempter his glory had beene the greater 2 That way might bee made hereby to the reuelation of the eternall mercy of God to his elect in Iesus Christ as also of his Iustice in the condemnation of the wicked for the refusall of the Messiah and in him of their saluation And hence ariseth the excellency of Man 1 By the consideration of his creation especially that in respect of the mutability thereof hee was to be interessed in the Messiah so to be restored preserued by him vnto saluation Hence also arise the ends of mans creation 1 To aduance the goodnesse and bounty of the Lord in ordaining saluation for him by his sonne 2 That the Lord hereby might haue the onely glory of all his mercies 3 That Man might haue the dominion ouer all the Creatures 4 That also he might bee as it were a sweet Companion with the Lord in eternall glory and happinesse And 5 That hee might bee made meete hereunto by the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer Ioh. 17. And by spirituall and bodily worship according to his knowledge 1. Cor. 6. Whence we may learne 1 To admire and conceiue worthily of this loue of God in making vs thus like vnto himselfe and so to expresse our loue vnto him in striuing to bee like vnto him 1. Ioh. 4. 2 To magnifie his admirable wisedome in making our estate such as in regard of our free-will to be subiect to change and so to rest content with the will of God in things more contrary to nature and vnlikely for our God seeing the Lord out of this mutable estate raised so much good euen to aduance his holy sonne Iesus and in him to renue and establish our formerly mutable condition 3 And seeing the Lord did ordaine this condition to be therefore mutable that so man being left to himselfe might bee the chooser and author of his owne fall therefore learne we to iustifie God and to condemne our selues that so we may not be iudged of the Lord. Lastly seeing the Lord as hee ordained the fall of man mutable so hee ordained a Redeemer before the fall to recouer the same Therefore let this comfort vs in all our troubles whether vpon vs or expected that vndoubtedly we may expect a good issue therein seeing we were first apointed to glory so to deliuerance from thē and so appoynted to afflictions to make vs sit for glory And we are here taught to loue the person of man as bearing Gods Image though we may hate the sinne Thus of the Creation CHAP. IX Of the fall of Man WHerein man continued not as being left to himselfe and so fell away from God in obeying the suggestion of the Serpent and so fell away from his former estate of Innocencie and happinesse through disobedience of the Commandement plunged himselfe and
written in our hearts is no sufficient rule of life 1. Cor. 2.14 Mat. 16.17 Rom. 2.12 3 Much lesse the Lawes of nations are perfect rules to liue by Deut. 4.6 4 No wil-worship is accepted of God Matth. 15.9 Colos. 2.23 Deu 12.8 5 Nither a good intention makes a good action 2. Sam. 6.6 6 Nor an erroneous conscience excuseth an euill fact or maketh that which is doubtfull good Rom. 14.23 7 No not Ignorant Deuotion auailes in Gods worship Rom. 10 2. Act. 13.50.51 8 Much lesse the lawlesse lusts of our hearts which tend to the destruction of life Eph. 1 22. 9 Neither is the Multitude a iustifiable warrant for our actions Exod. 23. 10 No not the examples of any further then they square with the word 1. Cor. 11.1 11 Neither the word it selfe in the letter but in the spirituall meaning thereof Math. 5. 12 And the meaning of the word to be fetcht not from any other but the Word comparing spiritual things with spirituall things 1. Cor. 2.13 13 Yea the true meaning must be appplied by faith before our actions can be warranted therby Rom. 14. So doth the word containe a perfect direction of our life CHAP. XIII What this direction is namely to serue God daily and constantly THis direction is a daily and constant endeuour to serue God And 1 Because the Lord requires such a dayly and constant course Philip. 3.15 Gen. 17.1 Iob. 1.5 2 The Lord giues grace and appoints means for the performance thereof as the continuall inhabitation of his spirit and the fruite therof the holy seed that remains in vs. 1. Iob. 3.8 3 The Saints of God haue practised such a course Psal. 1. Genes 18. 1. Cor. 15. 4 To this ende were we redeemed that we should serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of ous life Luk. 1. 5 God doth dayly bestow blessings vpon vs therefore wee must dayly serue him Lam. 3.23 Psal. 103.2 6 Christ Iesus maketh continuall intercession for vs that wee should daily yea hourely and continually performe acceptable seruice vnto God 1. Iob. 2.2 7 Satan is neuer weary of tempting vs therefore wee should haue our loines girt and bee alwaies vpon our watch to resist him 1. Pet. 5.8 8 Wee haue not a daies warrant no not an houres certaintie of life therefore we are at no time to be vnprepared because we know not the houre when our master commeth Math. 24. 9 We are pilgrims and trauellers in this world and therefore wee must trauell each day homeward to our country Heb. 11.12 1. Pet. 2.11 10 By our calling we are watchmen souldiers c. and therefore we must daily be exercised in this spirituall warrefare 2. Timothie 2.6 Hence it followeth 1 That to fancie any such seruice out of the word which is not daily and constant is sinne Hosea 6.4 2 To thinke that the seruice of the Sabboth is all that God requireth is also sinne Esa. 1.13 3 It is in vaine to serue God at randome and not in an holy and constant order 4 To put off the seruice of God to the end of our life is most presumptuous Psal. 95.7 5 To thinke I haue any libertie or time to serue sinne is Atheisticall 1. Pet. 4.2 Ephe. 5.16 6 That it is not wil-worship to performe this seruice seeing it is warranted by the word 7 That it is no nouelty to serue God after this manner 8 Neither is it precisenesse to tie our selues hereunto seeing it is reuealed and therefore beelongs vnto vs. Deut. 29.29 Ephes. 5.15 Therefore that we may serue God according to his word we must perform dayly and continuall obedience to to him Coloss. 10. CHAP. XIIII What this dayly course is namely a constant purpose to serue God how ANd this is first a purpose of the heart to serue God as God wholly and continually He. 13.18 Act. 11.13 2 This purpose is setled and rooted in the heart and bringeth forth some constant fruit of obedience euery day Col. 1.23 3 It is also sincere and generall hauing respect vnto al Gods commandments in all things desirous to please him dayly and to bee fruitfull in euery good worke Psa 119.6 Col. 1.10 4 It is in wisedome both auoiding all occasions which may hinder as also vsing the best meanes may further the execution thereof 5 It is constant and earnest not giuing ouer though it be preuented and interrupted but hereby is more kindled and enflamed to weldoing Fifthly it is spirituall and respects the ends which are two 1 Gods glory not any worldly or vaine respects 1. Cor. 10.31 2 The eternall saluation of my soule not any trāsitory or outward blessing Phil. 3.8 1. Pet. 1.9 3 It enioynes these so farre as God shall inwardly enable and outward means permit rather to put vs in minde what we should bee then what we can bee in this life 2. Cor. 8.12 Hence it followeth First that though this course were impossible yet were it necessary to be known and indeauored of vs. 1 That it might bee a dayly rule of our life 2 That it might continually humble vs vnder the mighty hand of God 3 That it may daily driue vs to Christ 4 That it might weane vs from the world fit vs to eternal happines Hence it followeth Secondly that it is not impossible in some good measure to keepe such a course and trade of holines 1 Because he presumes not absolute perfection which indeed were folly for any to dreame of in this life but is onely a following hard to the make and furtherance to perfection Phil. 3.13 2 It is no harder a taske then what the Saints of God do desire to attaine Psal. 90.12 haue voluntarily vndertaken and in most comfortable measure performed Genes 5.22 3 It may stand well with our ordinary callings 1. Tim. 4.8 4 Neither doeth exclude our lawfull comforts 2. Tim. 4.8 Hence it followeth Thirdly That it is no more then needs must to take this course 1 Because hereby we shew our selues obedient to Gods commandement Gen. 17.1 Secondly Wee do also approoue the soundnes of our obedience as 1 That it is hearty not Hypocriticall 2 Not by halfes but generall 3 Not temporary but continuall 4 Not indifferent but conscionable 5 Not enforced but free cheerefull Deut. 28.47 6 Not vncertaine but constant 7 Not carnall but spirituall Thirdly Heereby we increase in righteousnes and holines as being First Confirmed in well doing and that 1 By the knowledge of our heauenly thrift 1. Thes. 4.10 Mat. 25.16 2 Thanfulnesse vnto God for it 3 Commending the successe to God 4 Crauing his further supply 4 Recouered also we shall bee out of euill 1 By seeing our escapes Ieremy 3.13 2 Iudging them 1. Cor. 11.32 3 Denying our selues Math. 16 4 Casting our selues vpon Christ. Math. 11. Fifthly Hereby also our outward callings are furthered as 1 Being sanctified by this spirituall exercise 1. Tim. 4.5 2
Giuing the Lord no rest till by praier we haue obtained this assurance 5 An holy indignation and displeasure at our selues for offending so good and gratious a Father Psal. 73.22 6 A feruent affection to Gods word and spirituall things Psal. 51. Psalm 32. 7 Zeale of Gods glory and in regard thereof a iudging of our best graces and mourning for our failings in them 8 A spirituall execution and taking vengeance on our selues by cleering of others in affliction and condemning our selues Esay 30.21 2. Sam. 16.17 Ier. 31.19 2. Sam. 24. 9 Yea desirous to bee more vile 1. Timoth. 1.13.14 and exposing our selues to confusion for the same 10 And because wee cannot bee so abased as wee should Mourning and complaining of the hardnesse of our hearts Esay 63.17 11 Prouoking deeper sorrow for our owne by mourning for the sinnes of others Psal. 119.136 Dan. 9. Eze. 9. 12 Trembling at the word and yet louing the sharpest blowes thereof Psalm 119.120 And so melting at the sweet promises therein 13 Submitting our selues willingly to Gods chastisements Psal. 39.9 Mich. 7.9 14 Labouring vnfaignedly the conuersion of others Psalm 51.17 And admonishing them to take heed by our example Ezech. 18.30 15 Shame of humane society Ezech 16.61 Ier. 3.3 16 Feare of the wrath of God Psal 119.120 17 Strong cryes for mercy Io. 2.17 18 Desire of the restoring of for sin though we alwayes shed not teares for it 4 And though we forsake not sinne wholly yet out endeuour is accepted with God so that wee finde the power of sinne weakned in vs and relapse into former sinnes breed greater feare of our selues and humility 5 Considering that our repentance is not to purge out our sinne or deferre pardon but onely 1 To testifie our thankfulnesse vnto God 2 To assure vnto our selues the renued life of grace 3 And to proceed and goe forward therein 6 As also resoluing that in all these things whosoeuer will lead a godly life in CHRIST the power of God is to bee made perfect by their infirmities 2. Cor. 12.9 7 Comforting our selues that if being in our wayes wee bee kept from sinne this is the mercie of GOD but if out of our wayes we seeme to maister sinne this is in Iustice and deceiuable 8 As also beeing assured that what we faile in at one time will be supplied at another and God will accept the measure of his worke in vs. 9 And lastly accounting it a good measure of forsaking sinne if wee see what wee cannot do and grone vnder the burthen desirous to bee dissolued Rom. 7 24. And for our further tryall and resolution obserue wee these things 1 That our sorrow for sinne neither vnfits vs for our callings nor excludes from such comforts as are tendered in Christ Iesus 2 That wee so iudge our selues that we iudge not either peremptorily of our owne estate to preiudice Gods mercy or censure our brethren vncharitably who stand or fall to their Maister 3 Yet neglect wee not reproofe for sinne seasonably and conscionably that either others or at least our selues may bee kept from security and kept in the tendernesse and true iudgement of the conscience 4 That wee are more grieued that wee haue not serued God longer time then that we haue for the present dishonoured him by sin And yet 5 Are more grieued by this that the name of God is blasphemed and his spirit grieued by our sin then that any hurt hath or for any that shall redound to vs hereby The benefite hereof is as before CHAP. II. Of the raising vp of a sinner by a true and liuely faith THe soule beeing thus humbled must bee raised vp againe by a true and liuely Faith And this is the second duty daily to be performed Obiect But cannot we bee truly humbled without faith Is this a worke of nature and so a preparation to grace Or else rather a worke of Sanctification Answer 1 Some kinde of humiliation and sorrow for sinne may be naturall as being forced from the conscience accusing naturally and furthered by the spirit of illumination So that 2 In the outward act the Hypocrite may bee like the sound Professour yea in some measure in regard of the power of conscience let loose exceed him in outward humiliation especially if wil-worship sway for our owne credit 3 But the truely humbled Soule expressed in those Markes and Rules before is so wrought by faith apprehending the pardon of sinne in Christ our sinnes This is performed 1 By a serious meditation on the promise of the Messiah Iohn 3.16 2 By exercising our selues more conscionably in the reading and hearing of the word taught Iohn 5.39 Secondly Faith is quickned by reuiuing our apprehension of the promise and this is is done 2. Chr. 17. vers 16.17.18.19 and to the end of the Chapter 1 By earnest prayer vnto God for the renuing of his Spirit in vs. Psal. 51.12 2 By an hearty acknowledgement that we haue iustly grieued the Spirit of God and so are deseruedly depriued of the feeling thereof Psalme 51.4 Lamentation 3.22 37. 3 Meditating of our former comfort and assurance herein Ps. 77. And this reuiuing hath many degrees First A liuely sense what need I haue of Christ and that without him I must certainly perish Rom. 7.24 25. Secondly Hope of pardon whereby though we yet feele not our sinnes certainly pardoned yet we beleeue that they are pardonable not in respect of thēselues as if they were lesse heinous but in respect of God whose mercies are aboue them Esay 1.18 Thirdly An hungring and thirsting after grace offered in Iesus Christ. Ioh. 6.35.7.37 Reu. 21.6 And this is discerned 1 By our prizing and preferring it aboue all other comforts Phil. 3. 2 By our fainting and languishing after it Psal. 42 3 By our strong cries and endeuours for the same Psalme 51.12 13. c. Fourthly Wee approch to the throne of grace and flying from the terrour of the law wee take hold on Christ and find fauour in God Heb. 4.16 Heb. 10.19 And this is performed 1 By an humble confession of thy sinne in particular wherupon followeth a full remission of them Psalme 32.5 2 Crauing pardon of some speciall sins with vnspeakeable sighs and perseuerance Luk. 15.21 Act. 8.21 Fiftly Hereupon followeth a particular perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost whereby euery faithful man doth particularly apply vnto himselfe those promises which are made in the Gospell Mat. 9.2 Math. 15.28 Psal. 143.12 This perswasion is discerned by these markes 1 It goes before experience Mat. 15.23 and so our faith is supernaturall and contrary to all reason Heb. 11.1 2 It holds beyond experience Iob. 13.15 Heb. 11.1 and is aboue all feeling 3 And neuer leaues vs till wee haue obtained the ende thereof which is the saluation of our soules 1. Pet. 1.9 This perswasion hath these degrees First it takes hold weakely not without doubting and yet soundly
any meanes And yet 11 Not despising the prouidence of God inhibited in the weakest and most vnlikely means And yet 12 Depending on the mightie power of God beyond and contrary to all meanes 13 And so dayly labouring to discerne the true estate thereof by the word 14 Deny we our selues and labour to be found of him onely in Christ Iesus and so 15 In Christ offer wee vp our hearts as a dayly sacrifice of obedience vnto his maiestie 16 Accounting all things as dung in regard of his fauor And 17 Being ready to forsake all in comparison thereof 18 And so hungring after his glorious fellowship and communion in heauen 19 Prepare we our selues daily to our ends that we may for euer be with the Lord. Thus shall wee resigne vp our selues to his holy gouernement Secondly by renuing our vowes binding vs to the performance of them And that 1 By publicke protestation 2 By subscribing with the hand Esay 44. 3 By solemne and conscionable oaths 2. Chron. 15. 4 By the curse of the law Nehe. 10.31 5 Calling others to witnesse as the Church of God Thirdly wee must continually feare our selues and haue a holy iealousie of our best actions Prou. 28.14 And that in regard 1 Of the maiestie and righteousnesse of God able to censure that which wee haue best testimony of 1. Cor. 4.5 2 Of the vnsearchablenesse of our hearts Ierem. 17.9 3 Of the priuie corruptions that do assault vs. Psal. 19. 4 In respect of the infirmities that do accompany our best actions Iob. 4.18 5 In respect of the treachery of our flesh ready to betray vs to euery tentation Rom. 7. 6 And the continuall readinesse of Satan to set vpon vs. 1. Pet. 5 8. 7 As also especially in regard of the presence of our gracious God beholding and approuing all our actions Psalme 33.13 And this feare is discerned 1 By an earnest striuing against our corruptions 2 By a desire to approue our selues to the Church of God 3 By tendernesse of conscience in all our actions 4 By lowlynesse in our carriage euen towards our inferiors 5 By an holy care to prepare our selues to spirituall duties 6 Making conscience of the least sinnes 7 Keeping our selues from the occasions and appearance of sinne 8 Restraining our selues in our Christian libertie 9 By humilitie in the sence of great graces 10 Charitable censuring of our brethren and couering their infirmities And by 11 A dayly examination of our wayes 12 Especially complaining of and striuing against our secret corruptions 13 By choyce of our company and care therein 14 Meditation of our ende and preparation to the day of iudgement Fourthly There must be a constant watching ouer the outward man auoyding both the occasions of euill the least appearance therof Ps. 39.1 Iob. 31.1 of which herafter Fiftly We must moderate our selues in our Christian libertie Galat. 5.13 and that by these rules 1 Of our callings that wee exceed not them 1. Corinth 7.20 2 Of the times that wee bring forth fruite in due season Psa. 1.3 3 Of the place that in outward things we cōfirm therto 1. Co. 9.20 4 Of the persons that wee giue no iust offence 1. Cor. 10.33 Here our guides must be Loue which seeks not our own 1. Cor. 13. Wisedome to become all vnto all 1. Cor. 13. And our ends 1 Expediencie what may bee fitting 1. Cor. 9. 2 Order that which may bee seemely Col. 2. 3 Edification that which may benefit our selues and other 1. Cor. 10. 4 And principally the glorie of Almighty God 1. Cor. 10.31 Sixtly We must entertaine and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God 1. Thess. 5.19 2. Tim. 1.6 This is performed 1 By a wise discerning of them 1. Tim. 4.14 2 By an high esteeme of them 3 By reioycing in them as if wee had found the greatest treasures Mat. 13.44 4 By putting them speedily in execution Psal. 45.1 5 By offering vp an extraordinary sacrifice of praise for them abasing our selues in regard of such excellent graces and acknowledgeing the free mercy of God in so gracious a fellowship Psalme 116.7 12. Seuenthly If the Spirit of God shall lie a sleepe in vs. Psal. 119. This we shall discerne 1 By great terrours in the conscience 2 A kind of loathing of holy duties 3 Great coldnes and deadnesse in the vse of them 4 Little sensible comfort when we haue performed them Psalme 77.2 3. 5 Much discontentment in the minde and blindnes in the same Psalme 6.3 6 Aptnesse to rush into the sinnes we haue heretofore conquered 7 Vnwillingnesse to die c. Here then we must at no hand blesse our soules in this estate but First rouse vp the Spirit and labor to be quickned and that by vsing the holy meanes as 1 The powerfull Ministerie of the word Psal. 6.6 that so our iudgements may be kept sound 2 Priuate and strong crying vnto God Psalm 51. Psalm 40 1. 3 Crauing the effectuall praiers of the Saints Iames. 5 15. 4 Vsing more conscionably their fellowships and opening our state vnto them 5 Racking our hearts by a serious and impartiall examination and committing our most speciall tentations to record 6 Promising more faithfulnes for the time to come Psal. 80.18 7 And binding our selues more constantly to the conuersion of others Psal. 116.18 Psal. 32.8.9 Ps. 34.3.8.11 8 Exercising a dayly course of repentance Psal. 51.4 9 Not neglecting also to humble our selues in this behalfe in some priuate fast vnto God Psal. 35. in our closets or families Eightly make we some experiment vpon some chiefe lust of the heart to get the mastery ouer it for by an experimentall conquest ouer one we shall learne in time to conquer all the rest Here learne we How to know the master and most beloued sinne As 1 That which before conuersion we were most subiect to that will now hant vs seeking to re-enter againe 2 That we most feare And 3 Feele our selues most weak in 4 That which most interrupts vs when we are about to do most good 5 That which hath most excuses pretences to defend it self 6 And also that which wee can cry most earnestly against in our selues 7 And which we most discerne and condemne in others 8 That which we haue most foyled and gloriously subdued 9 That which our carnall affection will be yet most vnto that so our soundnesse may be approued especially in the conquest thereof And this must be done 1 By obseruing the deepnesse of Satan in his varietie of baits to draw vs into the snare 2 Considering the deceitfulnesse of the heart how gladly it it would close with Satan 3 Remembring our former tripping by the like tentation 4 Thereupon confesse wee in humble prayer vnto God that we haue deserued to bee ouertaken with it 5 Detest we our selues that sin hath got such ground of vs. Iob. 42. 6 Hereupon vow wee reuenge against our treacherous flesh 2. Cor. 7.11 7 And practise wee
hardnesse of heart 7 And so to fearfull terrors and soundings of spirit The benefite of this part of the Girdle is 1 It procures and maintaines true inward ioy 2. Cor. 1.12 2 Hereby wee haue alwayes boldnesse before God 1. Iohn 3.20 to obtaine good things at his hands Heb. 10. 3 And are enabled and furnished against all the reproches and euils of men Pro. 18. 4 By this wee are alwayes certaine of the things we do and the acceptance of them in the sight of God Psa. 51.6 5 Hereby we are comforted in the greatest Buffetings of Satan and our cowardly and vnbeleeuing hearts 1. Ioh. 3.21 6 We attaine to extraordinary sweetnesse and ioy in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 Rom. 5.1.2 7 And led along in most cheerfull manner throughout all difficulties to the receiuing of the reward Heb. 11.26 8 we encrease in sanctification and holinesse 1. Tim. 1.18.19 9 We put to confusion the pride and practises of our enemies 1. Sam. 26.21 10 we receiue hereby a pledge of eternall life and haue our conuersation in heauen Rom. 8.16 Phil. 3.20 A third part of this sincerity consists in the will which discouers it selfe 1 By cheerfulnesse in well-doing not by compulsion but of a willing minde 1. Cor. 9. 1. Pet. 5. 2 Subiecting it owne will to the will of God in all things 3 And so yeelding it daily to the information of the word and binding it thereto 4 Aiming at the full accomplishment of Gods will in earth as it is in heauen Mat. 6. 5 Not consulting with flesh and blood in heauenly things 6 Nor proposing our owne glory in the performance thereof 7 Complaining daily of the rebellions thereof And so 8 Resisting sin and the occasions thereof Psa. 119.104 9 Yeelding to sinne with griefe Rom. 7.15 10 Rising by repentance out of the same Prou. 28.14 The state and measure hereof is 1 That it is not free to good or euill but freed to doe good Phil. 2.13 2 And therefore of it selfe can will no good thing 3 Yet so freed to good as that it is in bondage to sinne Rom. 7.18 4 And therefore while we are about any good euill is present with vs and we are led captiue thereto Yet so in bondage as that it striues against that slauery and gets daily ground thereof Rom. 7.25 Eph. 2.3 The benefit hereof is 1 To enable vs to doe good Rom. 7.18 2 To comfort vs in our outward failings 2 Cor. 8.12 Rom. 7.19 3 To discerne of our state in sanctification Ephes. 2.3 1. Cor. 12.2 4 To keepe our iudgments sincere and vpright 1. Tim. 6.5 5 To kindle and order our affections in the seruice of God And this is a fourth part of this Girdle euen the well ordering of our affections 1. Thess. 5.23 Rom. 7.24 And this is discerned 1 By a right mouing of them to their proper obiects Rom. 7.22.25 2 By their contentment in the same 3 That what is in the iudgment we haue also in the affection 4 In that wee can more ioy or grieue for spiritual causes then for carnall Psa. 4. Psa. 119. 5 That they tend to the crucifying of the flesh and building forward of the New man Coloss. 3.1 6 That we labour more for affection then for knowledge 7 Make wee them as little knowne in company as may be Genes 45. especially if the company and occasion be ordinary and ciuill 8 Suspect wee our owne affection when the case concerneth vs. 9 And that our affections can send and encourage vs to spirituall duties 10 That indeed by them we are wholly emptied in our selues in respect of God 2. Cor. 5.16 Gen. 5.22 Rom. 12.1 Helpes hereunto are 1 Knowledge of the right obiect Mark 3.5 2 Cor. 7. 2 Weaning and abating them from the false 1. Ioh. 2.15 3 Triall of our selues in the practise of some one of our afflictions Deut. 6.5 4 Conscience to vse them in all their seuerall times and measure Eccles. 3.1 Rom. 12.16 The benefit hereof is 1 We shall attaine hereby a gracious conquest ouer our most vnruly thoughts Eph. 4.25 2 Wee shall finde much sweete peace and contentment in our Christian callings 3 We shall be more ready prest to good actions 2. Cor. 7. 4 And saued from many noysome tentations which otherwise would assault vs. 2. Ephes. 4.26 Ioh. 19.12 5 We shall haue gracious fellowship with God Col. 3.1 6 And be better enabled to the conuersion of our brethren Ioh. 21.15 A fift part of this girdle is the sincerity of the Tongue As 1 Being the sterne of the shippe and the certaine Image of the minde Iam. 3.5 2 In the well-gouerning whereof is the triall of sincerity Psal. 34. note of perfection Iam. 1. Iam. 3 3 The misgouernment whereof is confusion to the owner Prou. 18.7.21 and others 4 By keeping the same we auoyd trouble Pro. 21.23 5 And make the world serue our turne And it is discerned 1 In holy speech Eccles. 3.7 2 In wise and seasonable silence Concerning fit and warrantable speech we are to obserue 1 Preparation to speech 2 The matter of it 3 The manner thereof 4 The end of the same We shall be prepared to speech 1 By praier to God to guide our tongue and that because First the Lord is Ruler of it Prou. 16.1 Secondly by an holy consideration of these things 1 That we are to speake in his presence Psal. 33.15 2 That there is no liberty for idle talke Math. 12.36 3 That all speech must tend to edification Ephes. 4.29 4 What the matter is we meane to speake of 5 That what is once out cannot be recalled 6 That we must giue an account for euery idle word And thus we shall be prepared to speake Now The matter of our speech concernes either Persons or Things The persons 1 Almighty God and his workes 2 Our neighbour and what concernes him 3 Our owne persons and occasions In our speech concerning our blessed God wee are to obserue these Rules 1 That we take not the names of Gods Maiesty in our mouthes but vpon most serious and waighty occasions Exod. 20. 2 That in the occasion we finde our hearts liuely affected with a true knowledge and holy reuerence of God before whom wee speake and before wee vse his great and fearfull name least otherwise though the cause be waighty yet we take it in vaine 3 That wee finde our selues comforted and established in our faith by taking of this great and glorious name as beeing hereby drawne neerer vnto God and setled more constantly in our loue to his Maiesty To this end vse not the name of God without some addition of his attributes as the Liuing Lord the Glorious God My God c. Ephes 1.3 4 Yea that it may appeare that wee haue not onely knowledge of the Deity but also experience of his nature and properties we are to giue him such attributes as concerne the
suspecting especially the shew and colour watching ouer our naturall corruption and the sinnes of our Calling 12 Also labouring to discouer and conquer the contrary tentation as in affliction impatiency and distrust Helpes hereunto are 1 Consider wee that the best doe faile in watching as they should 2 That it is no bondage but a blessed liberty thus to looke to our selues 3 Looke we our selues dâ—â—â—ily in the glasse of the word Psalm 119. Heb. 11 6. 4 Suspect wee also our selues and feare we alwayes Pro. 28.14 5 Let the feare of God be continually before our eies 1. Cor. 7.1 6 Vse we sobriety in our knowledge and vse of outward things 1. Pet. 4. Rom. 12.3 7 Prouoke we each other cheerfully to holy duties Psal. 122. 8 Consider wee how watchfull worldlings are to obey the precepts of men 9 If we haue slipped let vs returne againe in feare and trembling 10 Obserue we the checkes of conscience for euery action 11 And let not the motions of the spirit be vnrespected 12 Extraordinary and speciall mercies of God be we catefull to record 13 And tremble we at his iudgments wisely laying them to our heart 14 Let the day of our death be alwayes in our eye 15 And make we full account to come to iudgement 2. Cor. 5. CHAP. X. Of Prayer A Further helpe to Constancy is Earnest and constant Prayer vnto GOD to vphold vs by his mighty hand Ephes. 6.14 15. And that 1 Publicke in the Congregation Psa. 92. Psa. 122. Mat 6. 2 In priuate as well with our families as in our closets and secret recourse Mat. 6. Psa. 4.6 And this is necessary 1 Because the Lord hath commanded it Psalm 50.15 Matth. 6. Luk. 11. to oppose against our vnworthinesse 2 Hereby wee approue our selues to bee louing membes of Christs body and the truely adopted sonnes of God Rom. 8.13 Psa. 14.22 3 We performe a speciall part of worship vnto the Almighty Psa. 50.15.23 4 We vse the especiall meanes whereby all Gods blessings are enioyed and sanctified Luke 11.13 1. Tim. 4.5 5 And though the Lord know what we haue need of before wee aske yet hereby wee acknowledge and discerne the same Isa. 65.24 6 Hereby we are also humbled vnder the mighty hand of God 7 Wee do also performe thankefulnesse vnto God for al his mercies 8 As also we giue vnto God this prerogatiue that he is the searcher of our hearts and also 9 We acknowledg his speciall prouidence that he careth for vs. Psal. 34 10 Heerby our faith and patience is gratiously exercised and confirmed Now that we may pray aright 1 Our prayer must bee in faith without doubting Iam. 1.6 to God not to Saints or Angels Rom. 10. 2 In loue forgiuing one another and praying for each other Luk. 1. Math. 6. yea for our enemies 3 In wisdome praying first for the fauor of God wheÌ„ we would haue blessing and when we would haue any euill remoued praying for the forgiuenesse of sinne which is the cause thereof As also 2. diuiding the times wisely for prayer and our callings 4 In zeale and feruency 1. from the heart and affections principally aiming at Gods glory c. 1. Cor. 14. Iacob 5.16 5 In constancie and patience waiting the Lords good leasure Psa. 40.1 Psal. 135. Psal. 147. 6 In sinceritie from our right in Christ Iesus and out of the holy purpose of our heart denying our selues 7 In an holy order 1. for those that concerne Gods glory 2. such as concerne saluation 3. such as respect this life And so on the contrary we are to pray against such as crosse these things in their order 8 Our minds must be free from all worldly and carnal respects 9 In humilitie abasing our selues before the Lord Dan. 9. Gen. 32. 10 With thankesgiuing vnto God for all his mercies Psal. 116.12 11 As also with true repentance renuing our vowes to the Lord. Psal. 26.6 Isa. 1.15 1. Ioh. 3.22 Thus must our prayers bee made vnto the Lord and by them we shall be First Much strengthened in the grace of perseuerance Luke 22.32 as also 2 Kept in the vigor and power of our Christian life Ephes. 6. 3 Experienced in our sweet fellowshippe with God Rom. 8.15 4 Our spirituall armour always fitted and exercised Eph 6. 5 Our dayly wants supplyed or recompensed Iames 1.5 2. Cor. 12. 6 Tentations conquered and happily diminished Mat. 4. 7 All our occasions well seasoned and turned to our good 1. Tim. 4. 8 Our whole life sanctified and wee prepared comfortably to a better Phil. 1.19 To this end also serueth another omitted or sleightly performed any of these 6 Be sure so to performe these as that thou doest not neglect thy calling 2. Thess. 3.12 7 If thou hast performed them in some poore measure yet rest not in it but labor more earnestly with God for a further grace Phil. 3.13 8 And yet bee thankefull vnto God for these small grapes and fruits acknowledging that it is his great mercie that thou canst doe any thing and giuing him all the glory thereof 1. Corinth 15.10 And thus shalt thou be sure to obtaine this peace of God And hauing obtained it thou must lie downe therewith and carie it with thee to thy bed 1 Because thou knowest not whether thy bed shal be thy graue 1. Pet. 1.24 2 Thy sleepe hereby shall bee much sweeter and dreames more comfortable Psal. 4.8 3 Thou shalt auoyd nocturnall pollutions and vncleanesses 4 Thy reines shall teach thee in the night season and the darknesse shall bee as the noone day Psal. 16.7 And this is performed 1 By resigning vp our selues into the hands of God 2 Ascribing vnto him the glory of all the good wee haue performed Psal. 115.1 Esay 26.12 3 Acknowledging our selues to bee vnprofitable seruants if God should enter into iudgement with vs Luke 17.10 4 Crauing earnest pardon of our imperfections in Iesus Christ and laying our selues a sleepe in his bosome 1. Iohn 1.9 5 Comforting our selues if sense of faith bee not present yet with former experience and inward habit thereof Psal. 22.10 6 Yeelding vp our selues in a willingnesse to death in ful expectation of the life to come Phil. 1.20.23 And thus guiding our selues by these former rules we shall lie downe in peace and so shall wee comfortably performe the dayly sacrifice And thus farre concerning such necessarie duties as wee are bound in some measure dayly to performe CHAP. XII How to profit in this direction FOR our better encouragement and furtherance heerein obserue these rules 1 That being conuinced in conscience with the necessity of these dueties we purpose and solemnly vow vnto the Lord the attempting and prosecuting thereof Psal. 119.206 Psal. 119.7 2 That God principally respects the purpose of the heart if there be a willing minde accepts according to what wee haue and requires not what wee haue not 2. Cor. 8.12 3 That wee giue not eare to the flesh
7 If thou art desirous to prouoke thy brethren to vndertake this holy taske 8 And art weaned more gratiously from the loue of the world growing more contented with thine outward estate And 10 Still hungring more earnestly after the reuealing of the Sonnes of God 11 If thou art more faithfull conscionable in thy ciuill calling 12 And art more thankfull vnto thy God for this his gratious assistance 13 If now thou canst more reioyce in heauenly dueties and lesse in such meanes which concerne onely this life 14 Yea canst more triumph that thou art growne a master of thy former incoÌ„stancie that thou hast now attained a constaÌ„t measure of seruing thy blessed God then for any recompence that may redound vnto thee hereby 15 If yet thou canst be more humbled in the sense of thy wants theÌ„ any whit puffed vp with whatsoeuer thou hast already attained 16 And so shalt still follow hard after the mark for the hie price of thy calling in Iesus Christ Phil. 3. 17 If thou shalt grow more spirituall in the vse of outward comforts And 18 Shalt also grow more wise to discerne between things that differ being able 19 To trie the spirites whether they be of God or no and yet 20 To maintaine the fellowship not iudging any before the time 21 And yet reprouing sharpely that they may be sound and 22 Yet reioycing in such as are beyond thee in this glorious course 23 If thou canst more moderate thy selfe in thy Christian libertie doing not what thou maist do but what is expedient not what may respect thy priuate but the publicke good And 24 Aiming at the chiefest good euen the glory of thy blessed God 25 Preferring the same euen aboue thine owne saluation 26 Comforting thy selfe in the acceptance of the purpose of thy heart 27 As that thou neglectedst no good opportunity to expresse thy conscionable endeauours in some one or more of these holy duties as occasion is offered 28 Examining thy selfe in priuat concerning the performance of them 29 And so offering vp each duty in a sacrifice of obedience in thy priuate reckoning dayly casting vp of thy account not enioying 30 But esteeming highly of such that haue attained to some constancie herein And 31 So following the examples of the best in this holy course By these rules maist thou trie thy selfe whether thou hast profited by this dayly direction And the benefit hereof will be exceeding great As hath bin partly obserued heretofore and further may be discerned in these particulars As first We shall preuent hereby that secret hypocrisie which accoÌ„panies holy duties shall attaine to more sinceritie plainnes not onely in all actions towards God but in our outward dealings towards men so shal preuent much reproach to our profession and gaine much glory thereto Yea 2 We shal be a means hereby to shine as light in a froward generation to the encrease of Christs kingdome and so of our glory 3 We shall also by this constant performance of these set and necessary duties preuent all vnnecessary care infidelity the roote therof by keeping our selues with in the bounds of Gods protection quickning our faith in this liuely expressing of the fruit thereof 4 And so shall be better fitted to performe any extraordinary duty of visiting of thy distressed neighbor or resisting any violent tentation or entertaining of some extraordinary comfort of the spirit Or expressing thy inward wants vnto thy God in prayer or offring vp thy self as a sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto thy God c. To these I say such like thou shalt be better fitted by this daily sacrifice 5 And shall not the mouth of iniquity be stopped by this coÌ„stant worship that they shal be conuinced with the power of godlinesse they shall iustifie God and so either brought to embrace him with vs else fret away at our holy courses and thereby do lesse hurt to vs and hasten their owne damnation Shall not 6 The comming of Christ be hastened the means of religion held vp the estates and kingdomes of Princes preserued hereby Eccl. 9. Conclusion The Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things 7 Shall not this constant worship of God though it be but in few yea but in some one keepe out the iudgement from the rest else bee a means to saue our owne soules from a common desolation Gen. 18. 8 Shall not the wiseman see the plague and hide himselfe Prouer. 22.3 Though the foole runne on still and be taken in the trap 9 Shall not the Lord thus preserue one in a cittie and two in a Tribe that they may be repairers of the breach and the restorers of the paths to dwel in that they may build vp the olde wast places and raise vp the foundations for many generations Ier. 3. Isay 58.12 10 That so the face of the church may be renued and continued till the comming of Christ. Euen so Lord Iesus allure vs to this holy dutie and hasten thy kingdome of Grace that thy will may be done in our perfection to glory The third booke of the dayly Sacrifice Containing a direction how to order our dayly occasions to the glory of our blessed God In a Constant worship of his Maiestie And these are 1. A Preparation to each occasion Chap. 1. 2. To arise with God and beginning the day with him of which in the second Cha. 2. 3. The meanes hereto priuate and Familie-exercises Chap. 3. 4. The following of our callings Chap 4. 5. The vse of the creatures Chap. 5. 6. The right vse of Apparrell Chap 6. 7. Of company Chap. 7. 8. Of solitarinesse and it right vse Chap. 8. 9. Of prosperity Chap 9. 10. Of Aduersitie Chap. 10. 11. Of the dayly account Chap. 11. Hitherto we haue spoken of such necessarie Duties Which are dayly in a constant measure to be performed of those that will approue themselues to trauell towards heauen Now because there are many other occasions that doe offer themselues besides these â—â—â—et meanes euen euery day vnto which wee ought both wisely to bee prepared to as also wee must learne to entertaine them wisely and profitably to pursue and goe through them so as to further vs to happinesse Therefore in the next place it shall bee necessary both to lay downe Rules how to be prepared to them as also to propose a seuerall direction for each that they may not interrupt but further our constant course of Holinesse CHAP. I. Of preparation to each occasion HOwsoeuer occasions are manifold and contrary yet shall we be gratiously prepared to theÌ„ First if wee consider that they are no certaine markes of Gods fauour neither are we absolutely to iudge of our estate by them or in them 2 And yet doe resolue that whatsoeuer befall yet all shall turne to our good 3 And therfore that we set not vp our rest in any one of them but prepare for such variety and contradiction as our holy God hath
to sort with And 3 Whom to auoyd in our election Fifthly obserue wee that we are not to refuse the worst company vpon these conditions 1 If thy calling require allow thee for their good especially being sought vnto Mat. 3.5 Luk. 14.1 2 If vpon occasion thou fall vppon them or they into thy company 1. Reg. 18. Act. 17.17 3 If they bee in any extremity thou art to seeke vnto them Luk. 10.33 4 So thou doe not returne to them but reclaim them vnto thee Ier. 15.19 And this condemneth 1 That scrupulosity that alloweth no society with the wicked 2 As also that prophanesse which vpon such pretences are companions with them in euill 3 It instructeth vs in the right of our Christian liberty to become all vnto all that so we may winne some vnto Christ 1. Corinth 9.17.18 4 As also comforteth vs that if wee doe them no good yet wee shall keeping these Rules receiue no hurt nay wee shall bee the better by them Matthew 10.3.4 Otherwise wee are not to conuerse with them Because 1 They doe not loue vs Prou. 29. 2 They will defile vs with their corruptions and hinder vs in wel-doing 3 And draw downe Gods wrath vpon vs. Reu. 18 5. 4 They are hated of God Mat. 9. 5 And to be secluded the society of the faithfull 2 Iohn And this 1 Reproueth their prophanesse who to choose sort with the wicked to make them merry and reiect the godly as being melancholy persons c. 2 As also that for feare to offend the wicked conuerse close with them or to make gaine of them or by them 3 Hereby we learne how to auoyd contagion and confusion euen by forsaking the company of the wicked Reu. 18.4 4 As also hereby we haue a protection from their malice if wee runne not into the same excesse with them Ninthly learne we how to behaue our selues in good company Concerning good companie there are these rules 1 We must prouoke each other thereto 2 Christian salutation is to begin this society and greeting each other in the Lord. Ruth 2. 3 To be large-hearted offering the most pretious pearles vnto them Math. 13. 4 To vse among them more cheerefulnesse and familiarity 5 Exhortation of each other to constancy 6 Reprouing each other for suspected or knowne infirmities Leuit. 19.17 Galath 2.11.13 priuately 7 Taking occasion by some present blessing or iudgement to prouoke to repentance or thankfulnesse Gen. 33.11 Gen. 4â—â—â— 9 8 Ioyning together in prayer at least once before breaking vp Ephes 6. Acts 1. 9 Aduising each other for outward occasions but sparingly 2. Tim. 4.13.14 10 Commending each other to their priuate remembrances Eph. 6.19 Act. 20.32 11 In conference keeping an holy order that the grauest and most experienced may both begin and moderate without interruption or preiudice of any other gifts 1. Cor. 14. Iob. 32.4 12 Not wading into matters beyond their skill or calling 13 Bearing with one another through loue 14 Conferring especially of such things as they haue learned 15 Reioycing together in singing of Psalmes Col. 3.15 The end and vse of good company is 1 To draw vnderstanding out of them by conference Luk. 24. Ioh. 4 2 To receiue comfort in our inward and outward troubles Ruth 2.13 3 To increase spirituall ioy Psal. 32.11 4 To maintaine loue and Christian vnity Psa. 133.1 5 To nourish our hope and vnion in the fellowship which is aboue Col. 1.5 Now good company is either Set and appointed or Occasionall Set company is either to Spirituall or Ciuill ends That which is to spirituall ends is either Publicke or Priuate The Set Publick meetings of the Saints are of two sorts Principall and necessary Accessory and occasionall The Principall meetings are such which doe immediatly concerne and so are imployed in the worship of God And therefore First the weekely meetings on the Sabboth And heerein obserue these Rules First that wee prepare each other thereto Eccle. 4.17 And that by 1 Councell and Instruction 2 Encouragement and prouocation by example c. reioycing that now we are freed from bodily labour to serue our God more freely 3 By examination and that 1 Of sinnes commited especially such of neglect of Gods worship 2 Present wants of knowledge desire c. 3 What furniture of graces wee are fitted withall what Faith Repentance Ioy c. 4 Especially labouring to bee found in Christ Phil. 3.9.10 5 Praying vnfaynedly for the ministery of the world Col. 4. Rom. 16. 2 Thess. 3. 6 Instructing our Families 2. Thess. 3. Gen 18. Psal. 101. 7 Condemning our former abuse of the Saboth 8 Renuing our vowes for more conscionable obedience for the time to come And lastly 9 Meditating on the eternall Saboth and so stirring vp our selues in a through emptying of all carnall thoughts c. Secondly for the worship of the day 1 We are to arise early to praise the Lord. 2 To stirre vp our selues people by reading meditating and praying in priuate and with the Familie 3 That we come together to the Assemblies and not straggle but that wee may bee partakers of the whole worship of GOD Actes 13.44 4 That wee vse all holy and reuerend gestures to further attention to holy things as to be bare to stand vp to looke vpon the preacher c. Luke 4.20 Numb 23 18.22 5 That wee faile not priuately to stirre vp one another as wee perceiue dulnesse to watchfulnesse heede-taking by iogging c. 6 That we ioyne with the Congregation in such parts of Gods worship as then are performing 1 Cor. 14. Act. 20.36 7 That wee continue out the performance thereof waiting for the blessing vnlesse more vrgent occasion call away Math. 24.20 8 That we conferre with our family and neighbours some fewe together of such lessons as wee haue publickely heard desiring to bee satisfied by our Minister of doubtfull poynts Acts 17.11 9 That we visit the sicke and relieue the poore make peace among neighbours minister a word in due season to them that are weary Isa. 50. Math. 7. 10 That wee meditate vpon the Meanes 1 Accounting with our selues what things either read or preached especially concerned vs. 2 What especiall comforts and feelings the Lord gaue vs in prayer 3 What increase of faith in the promises 4 What renuing of repentance c. 11 That wee take a view of the creatures and stirre vp our hearts in the Spiritual meditation thereof to a greater loue and reuerence of the Creator Psalm 19.1 Psal. 92.4 12 That we count this our onely recreation for this day to build vp the soule in knowledge and holinesse Esay 58.13 The vse and benefit of the Sabboth is 1 We aree better fitted to the daily sacrifice 2 And also enabled to walke profitably in our Ciuill Callings 3 We renue our heauenly conuersation 4 We increase in knowledge so are fitted to a further measure of sanctification 5 Wee are prouoked
fellowship 6 That wee be carefull to order and represse the infinit wandrings of the mind which at such times is most busie and exorbitant Gen 6.5 Dan. 4.2 And that 1 By singling out the most necessary matter that concernes our present occasion 2 And prosecuting at once the same as wee may without interruption 3 At lest if some speciall motion come in the way so entertaining it as taking only some brief note thereof to helpe memory we leaue it to some proper season so returne againe to our former subiect 4 Not leauing it till we haue driuen it from speculation to particular vse 5 And so raise vp to run our communion with Christ. 7 Especially that wee be wise to discern Satans deepnes who now will vsually most eagerly assault vs either taking aduantage of our securitie because wee are freede from outward occasions or working vpon priuatenesse and want of succour Mat. 4. 8 That especially wee meditate on heauenly things comforting our selues with the holy protectioÌ„ of Angels who attend vs reioycing in the hope of that blessed fellowship which expects vs in heauen Gen. 5. Gen 24.63 9 At no hand giue wee place to Satan seeking now to scare or distract vs but resist we strongly by faithful praier 1. Pe. 5.8.9.2 Ch. 3. â—â—â— 10 Presume not of such solitarines either which hath no warrant as that of Monks c. or when thou art bound to society for herein thou excludest thy selfe the protection of the Lord. Eccles 4 9.10 Thus behauing our selues alone 1 We shall neuer want the comfort of sweet communion Mat. 28. Apoca 3.20 Iohn 14.23 2 Ready shall wee bee for such troubles when we may be driuen to be alone Apoc. 1.9.10 3 Fitter also for the fellowship and communion of the Saints 1. Tim. 3.4.5 4 Strengthned against Sathan who now will principally assault vs Mat. 4. Eccles. 4.10 5 And profitable redeemers of the time and purchasers of eternity Eph. 5.16 Prouided 1 That wee vex not our selues with sifting or enuying others businesse and states lest thereby wee be made vnfit for our owne 1. Tim. 5.13 2 That we ouer-whelme not our selues with ouermuch thinking of worldly things especially of the times to come or things which may happen least the heart bee drowned with the loue of the creature or appalled with feare of after-claps Mathew 6.34 Luk. 21.34 3 In meditation of heauenly things looke we that our custome herein cause not a vilifying or loathing of such heauenly mysteries Math. 6.7 Mat. 15.9 4 Take we heed of an ouerweening conceit of our selues if thou findst a greater furniture of Gods graces Iohn 5.53 5 Especially bee carefull that while thou meditatest of forsaking sinne thou beest not intangled with some spice thereof either presuming further then thy present strength or by conceit of what thou doest or by the deceitfulnesse of Sathan abusing thee with a contrary colour of sin while thou labourest to preuent him in another 6 And then in labouring to resist sinne see thou beest well armed and know thy strength too yet fearfull of thy selfe and so humbly cast vpon God that so thou mayest resist in the euill day Ephes. 6. Prouerbs 28.14 Psal. 16.8 Tryall of the right vse is 1 That wee find our zeale and comfort in holy duties quickned and encreased 2 And yet can stoope more humbly and chifely to the meanest occasions in our calling and walke more freely and yet more profitably herein 3 And so shall bee more ready to embrace the fellowship and impart our best treasures thereto 4 And shall by experience of such offences and wants which wee finde among men bee sent more often to conferre in priuate with our God solace our selues in his presence 5 And so bee weaned from the loue of this life as wee neglect no lawfull meanes for the maintenance thereof to a better 6 And yet shall hunger after a better life and prepare thereto And thus much concerning solitarinesse CHAP. IX Of Prosperitie and the right vse thereof THe next imployment of the day is how to behaue thy selfe in enioying of good things in the right vse of Prosperity and the knowledge hereof is needfull First because the best haue been tripped in this estate as Salomon Ionas c. For first hereby religious exercises haue been coldly performed and intermitted Mat. 22.5 2 Liberty hath beene giuen to loosnesse and inward gifts growne cold Hab. 1.16 Amos 6.5 3 Euils that were banished haue beene recalled againe as gaming c. 1. Cor. 10.7 4 They weaken our trust and confidence in God Hab. 1.16 5 With-draw our loue and kindnesse towardes inferiours with whom heretofore wee haue beene inward 6 Breed policy and so deceite euen in many professors Genes 20.11 And 7 Cause couetousnesse and loue of this life Psa. 62.10 Luke 12.19 Amos 6.3 8 Yea breed vnwillingnesse to beare the crosse and cunning to auoid it Mat. 26. 9 Giue occasion to the world to thinke we are hers and so causing her to presume of vs makes her hereby being deceiued when it comes to the proofe our more heauy enemy Gen. 31. 10 Heereupon also it comes to passe that the burthen lies heauier vpon the afflicted euen because of our prosperity being not carried wisely and tenderly Amos 6.5 Esay 5. 11 Yea it is the occasion that causes vs many times to censure those that are afflicted and to challenge their sincerity because of their afflictions Iob. 8. Iob. 4. c. 12 And not onely so but it causeth iealousie among Professors and so distrust of each other when all beare not the same burthen Rom 15.1 Rom. 12.13.16 Secondly this estate is very slippery and therefore we had neede to get sure footing that wee may stand vpright therin Psal. 73. Thirdly it is most vncertaine and changeable and therefore it stands vs vppon to make vs friends thereof while wee haue it Luk. 16. Fourthly the feare of the losse hereof doth much distract which the right vse hereof will much abate and qualifie Psa. 112.7 It being therefore apparant that the best may and doe abuse prosperity obserue now how wee may vse it aright First then let vs consider the ends why the Lord bestow those outward blessings in this life vppon his children which are these 1 To try whether wee will preferre him before them and can loue him better then them Iob. 1. 2 To make vs his Stewards in an holy dispensation of them to others Mat. 25. 3 To be pledges vnto vs and furtherances of spirituall blessings Gen. 17.1 4 That we may be humbled to giue him the glory of them Rom. 11.36 And therefore 1 We must not esteeme basely of them seing they are the gifts of so glorious a God 2 Neither must we be secure in this slippery estate seeing the same giuer is also the taker away 3 Take heede we despise not others in regard of them 4 Nor thrust our God and set them vp in our hearts